Cushioning means for egg cartons



June 10, 1930. .1. E. WALSH GUSHIONING MEANS FOR EGG CARTONS Filed July 28. 1927 v a it LE: U-. 1 .1 m m/ A: W, a: M vi a ,H m L m 7 m m n j if .1 h w :3 t. m I

Patented June 10, 1930 UNITED s'rA'r-ss PATENT OFFICE JOHN E. WALSH, OI CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 'I'O SELF' LOCKING CARTON COM- IPANY, A CORPORATION 01' ILLINOIS GUSHIONING MEANS FOR EGG CARTONS Application filed July 28,

The present invention has for its object a simple and novel attachment for a carton divided into individual cells or compartments as for example an egg carton that after be pointed out with particularity in the claims; but, for a full understanding of my invention and of its objects and advantages, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conneca sheet of strong tpaper having a width equal tion with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of one end of an open carton provided with one of my improved cushioning devices; Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the carton filled with eggs and losed; Fig. 3 is a view of a fragment of the' cushioning element in a flattened condition; and Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modified form of cushion.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents a carton rovided with a cover 2. The carton isdivi ed into a plurality of cells or individual compartments arranged in two lon gitudinal rows, by means of a series of transverse partitions 3 and a central lon-' gitudinal partition 4:. The carton itself may take any usual or suitable form.

In accordance with my invention, I provide each cell or compartment with a swing preferably supported from the partition members, in whichswing the egg or other article to be packaged'rests. The eggs or other articles are thus suspended above the bottom of the carton and outof contact with the sides, so as to protect them against.

blows struck against the bottom or sides of the carton.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention I employ for the cushioning means to the length 0 the carton and a length equal to about four times the depth of the carton; although the length may be varied within wide limits as long as it is greater 1927. Serial itaeoapm.

than the'width of the carton. The sheet or blank, indicated as a whole at 5, has longitudinal slots 6 and 7 cut in the upper and lower halves. These slots are equal in number to the transverse partitions and are spaced apart from each other the same distance as are the transverse partitions. The blank is preferably. scored along three parallel transverse lines, namely on the transverse central axis, as indicated at 8 and half way between the central axis and the top and bottom, as indicated at 9. Each slot is almost half as long as the blank. When the blank is folded along the scored lines so that an edge view thereof has the appearance of the letter W, it may be in serted in the carton; the slots permitting it to be pressed down between the transverse partitions, while the central portion in theform of an inverted V embraces the longitudinal partition, resting at its apex on the latter. The marginal sections 10 in the blank at the outer ends of the slots rest on the transverse partitions, so that the sections between adjacent slots formv swings suspended from their upper ends on the longitudinal and transverse partitions. When an egg, for example, as indicated at A, is placeo in one of the. compartments or cells, it rests in the corresponding swing and is held away from the bottom and the adjacent side of the carton and also from the central longitudinal partition. Therefore if the carton is set down heavily or is struck a blow, or is jarred, the egg will be protected and will also be prevented from striking the egg on the opposite side of the longitudinal partition.

If desired, the cushion may comprise a member corresponding a proximately to either the upper halfor tlie lower half of the blank just described. When the cushion is in this form, it will be applied as-shown in Fig. 4.; the blank being folded once along a line corresponding'with the line 9 in Fig. 3. The blank or cushion must be applied before the central longitudinal partition is inserted. Then, when the longitudinal partition is placed inposition, it engages with presses the middle of the blank downtoward or in contact with the bottom of the'carton. This form of cushion serves to protect eggs or other articles againstblows from wit 5 out, but does not hold them away from the central longitudinal partition; and therefore does not possess all of the advantages of my invention in its preferred 'form.

Not only do the'cushions protect the eggs or other articles, but the reinforce and stiffen the carton, so that t e latter will not be nearl as susceptible. to damage as .it would without the resence of the cushions. -While I have ili ustrated and described with particularity only a single referred form of m invention, with a sin e modification, I 0 not desire to be limited to the exact structural details thus illustrated and described; but intend to cover all forms and I arrangements which come'within the definitions of my invention constituting the appended claims.

I claim: 1 1. The combination with a container having a longitudinal partition and transverse partitions extending across the latter and cooperating therewith to divide the container into two rows of compartments, of a flexible sheet slotted between the ends to permit the portions between the slots to enter the compartments in the container while the ends are supported u on the tops of the transverse artitions, t e parts bein so proportioned that the portions of the s eet between slots stand clear of the bottom of the container.

2. The combination. with a carton in which is a multiple compartment filler formed b intersecting cross and longitu- 40 dinal wal s, of a sus ension unit formed of a single iece of yie dable material slotted to provi e interconnected straps each of V-formation adapted for dependency within one filler compartment, the :lIltQlCOIlIlGCtiOIlS between the straps being rested upon upper edges of the filler walls whereby to sup ort the unit in suspended position, and .theller walls cooperating with the V-straps to provide seats for eggs or other ob ects, one within each filler compartment, substantially as described. I In testimony whereof, I sign this specification.

- JOHN E. WALSH. 

